The metropolis is a hotbed of enticing mixed-use developments, with iconic addresses and landmarks catching the eye of homeowners and investors alike. Chong Seow Wei reports.
The revamp of Centre Point, which has long been considered one of London’s trig points, will also witness a transformation of the neighbourhood and roads surrounding the skyscraper
Five decades ago, London saw a notoriously camera-shy Harry Hyams build his latest property in all its 33-storey brutalist glory at the cross section of Tottenham Court Road and Oxford Street. Named the Centre Point, the office building, which was completed in 1966, would become the property magnate’s best-known development. Its honeycomb-like structure—designed by architect Richard Seifert—was revolutionary but the building was also controversial due to its height, which is taller than normally allowed, while its 4,000-sq ft floor plates attracted only short-term tenancies and suffered countless vacant units.
In the hands of current owner Almacantar, a property development and investment firm which acquired it in 2011, the Centre Point is set to go from “white elephant” to covetable home and haunt by 2017. Three floors will be taken up by spa, fitness and lounge facilities, and the remaining by 82 residential units, ranging from one- to five-bedroom penthouses with prices from £1.8m to £55m respectively. There have been queries from around the world since 2012, when the project was approved by authorities, with nine transactions having been made since.
The Grade II listed skyscraper’s exterior will be preserved, while most of its interior is being stripped out to make way for the homes and fixtures including a lighting structure by artist Cerith Wyn Evans. Rick Mather Architects and Conran and Partners will meld 1960s groove with modern craftsmanship; common spaces will have a black-grey-white theme with geometric motifs and dark timber finishes, to juxtapose with the apartments’ lighter oak and timber finishes. “With the apartments, it’s all about the view,” says Kathrin Hersel, development director at Almacantar, and rightfully so.
Centre Point offers 360-degree views of the city—most of its neighbours drop away at level 10 after a ruling was passed following the skyscraper’s completion, to protect iconic skylines of Big Ben, Buckingham Palace and the like. A public piazza and shorter blocks of retail space are also in the works to complement the area’s transition into a bustling station, where London’s new major railway system Crossrail—to fully launch in 2018—will intersect the existing Tube line.During construction, the skyscraper will be wrapped in prints by fashion and design firm Eley Kishimoto, says Hersel, to arouse public interest in the building.
As interest in London properties by Singaporean buyers grows following the recent British general election, Centre Point makes a promising buy, particularly among savvy investors who know London well and want a prime piece of British history.
Goodman’s Fields, Aldgate
Features This 7-acre development by Berkeley Homes in East London’s Aldgate is close by to the financial district and landmarks such as 30 St Mary Axe (or The Gherkin) and Tower of London. Designed by award-winning architecture firm Lifschutz Davidson Sandilands, its selection of studios, one- to three-bedroom apartments and penthouses is designed to meet modern expectations of luxury and practicality, with clean-cut interiors.
What else? Art is key to this development, which is decorated with fixtures such as six life-size bronze sculptures of horses galloping through the main plaza. There are also bars, cafes, restaurants and 2.2 acres of perfectly manicured gardens with water fixtures as relaxing spots to unwind at.
Prices from… £735,000 for studio to £5m for penthouse
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Nova, Buckingham Palace Road
Features This spiffy development sits a short walk from royalty at Victoria on Buckingham Palace Road. Its 170 apartments will not only bear a coveted address when they are completed in spring 2016, but stunning views of this prestigious neighbourhood that can also be admired from a private garden on the building’s 9th floor.
What else? Residents can reminisce classic Hollywood at the building’s private cinema, and relish in not having to walk too far for a good assortment of retail and dining spots—at one of the three accompanying commercial buildings, celebrity chef Jason Atherton has confirmed a spot for his new restaurant.
Prices from… £1.915m for two bedrooms and £3.1m for three bedrooms
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BatterSea Power Station, Nine Elms
Features This landmark development on London’s cultural South Bank will involve developing 42 acres of derelict industrial land, including its iconic centrepiece—the Grade II listed Power Station. The Power Station will be restored and refurbished to house about 254 of the 3,992 luxury apartments to be built, from studios to penthouses, with more residences coming up in visually stunning buildings at newly developed avenues nearby, Frank Gehry’s five-block Prospect Place and the sinuous Norman Foster-designed Battersea Roof Gardens. Residences will be ready in three phases from 2018.
What else? With a town-like structure, each of the main enclaves of this waterside development will be self-sustaining, with help from office, retail and public spaces. They will also boast green spaces, which goes from residents-only rooftop gardens to a 6-acre public park.
Prices from… £800,000 for Battersea Power Station; £1.439m for Battersea Roof Gardens; and £1.526m for Prospect Place
For more information, click here.